Architectural design for service procurement application software

ABSTRACT

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for implementing a software architecture design for a software application implementing service procurement. The application is structured as multiple process components interacting with each other through service interfaces, and multiple service interface operations, each being implemented for a respective process component. The process components include a Project Processing process component; a Purchase Request Processing process component; a Purchase Order Processing process component; a Purchasing Contract process component; a Goods and Service Acknowledgement process component; a Supplier Invoice Processing process component; an RFQ Processing process component that; and a Time and Labor Management process component.

BACKGROUND

The subject matter of this patent application relates to computer software architecture, and more particularly to the architecture of application software for service procurement.

Enterprise software systems are generally large and complex. Such systems can require many different components, distributed across many different hardware platforms, possibly in several different geographical locations. Thus, the architecture of a large software application, i.e., what its components are and how they fit together, is an important aspect of its design for a successful implementation.

SUMMARY

This specification presents a software architecture design for a software application implementing service procurement.

The invention can be implemented as methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for implementing a software architecture design for a software application implementing service procurement. The application is structured as multiple process components interacting with each other through service interfaces, and multiple service interface operations, each being implemented for a respective process component. The process components include a Project Processing process component; a Purchase Request Processing process component; a Purchase Order Processing process component; a Purchasing Contract process component; a Goods and Service Acknowledgement process component; a Supplier Invoice Processing process component; an RFQ Processing process component; and a Time and Labor Management process component.

The invention can further be implemented as methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing a software architecture design for a software application that is adapted to interact with external software systems through the service operations described in reference to external process components, or a subcombination of them.

The subject matter described in this specification can be implemented to realize one or more of the following advantages. Effective use is made of process components as units of software reuse, to provide a design that can be implemented reliably in a cost effective way. Effective use is made of deployment units, each of which is deployable on a separate computer hardware platform independent of every other deployment unit, to provide a scalable design. Service interfaces of the process components define a pair-wise interaction between pairs of process components that are in different deployment units in a scalable way.

Details of one or more implementations of the subject matter described in this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and in the description below. Further features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a software architectural design for a service procurement software application.

FIG. 2 illustrates the elements of the architecture as they are drawn in the figures of this patent application.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing interactions between a Payment Processing process component and an Accounting process component.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing interactions between a Purchase Request Processing process component and an RFQ Processing process component.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing interactions between a bank statement creation at bank process component and a Payment Processing process component.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing interactions between a Time and Labor Management process component and a Goods and Service Acknowledgement process component.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing interactions between a Supplier Invoice Processing process component and a Due Item Processing process component.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing interactions between a Project Processing process component and a Purchase Request Processing process component.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the interactions between a Payment Processing process component and a Payment Processing at Business Partner process component.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing interactions between a Payment Processing process component and a Project Processing process component.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing interactions between an RFQ Processing process component and a Purchase Order Processing process component.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing interactions between an Internal Request Processing process component and a Purchase Request Processing process component.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing interactions between a Due Item Processing process component and a Payment Processing process component.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing interactions between a Purchase Order Processing process component and a Sales Order Processing at Supplier process component.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing interactions between a Customer Invoice Processing at Supplier process component and a Supplier Invoice Processing process component.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing interactions between a Due Item Processing process component and an Accounting process component.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing interactions between a Goods and Service Acknowledgement process component and an Accounting process component.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing interactions between a Supplier Invoice Processing process component and a Purchasing Contract Processing process component.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing interactions between a Supplier Invoice Processing process component and an Accounting process component.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing interactions between a Purchase Order Processing process component and a Supplier Invoice Processing process component.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing interactions between a Goods and Service Acknowledgement process component and a Supplier Invoice Processing process component.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing interactions between a Project Processing process component and a Time and Labor Management process component.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing interactions between a Purchase Order Processing process component and an Accounting process component.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing interactions between a Payment Processing process component and a Payment Order processing at house bank process component.

Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows the software architectural design for a service procurement software application. The service procurement application is software that implements an end-to-end process used to procure services.

As shown in FIG. 1, the service procurement design includes nine deployment units: a Financial Accounting unit 102, a Project Management unit 104, a Purchasing unit 106, a Supplier Invoicing unit 108, a Payment unit 110, a RFQ Processing unit 112, a Due Item Management unit 114, a Requisitioning unit 116, and a Human Capital Management unit 118.

The Financial Accounting deployment unit 102 includes an Accounting process component 103 that records all relevant business transactions.

The Project Management deployment unit 104 includes a Project Processing process component 120 that is responsible for structuring, planning, and executing measures or projects (e.g., short-term measures, complex projects, etc.).

The Purchasing deployment unit 106 includes four process components: a Purchase Request Processing process component 128, a Purchase Order Processing process component 130, a Purchasing Contract Processing process component 132, and a Goods and Service Acknowledgement process component 133.

The Purchase Request Processing process component 128 provides a request or instruction to the purchasing department to purchase specified goods or services in specified quantities within a specified time.

The Purchase Order Processing process component 130 includes a purchase order business object and a purchase order confirmation business object. The purchase order is a request from a purchaser to an external supplier to deliver a specified quantity of goods, or perform a specified service within a specified time. The purchase order confirmation is a communication from a supplier to a purchaser to advise that a purchase order has been received. In particular, a purchase order confirmation may advise the purchaser of the supplier accepting the purchase order, or the supplier proposing changes to the purchase order, or the supplier not accepting the purchase order.

The Purchasing Contract Processing process component 132 handles an agreement between a purchaser and a supplier that details the supply of goods or the performance of services at agreed conditions. The Purchasing Contract process component includes the purchasing contract business object.

The Goods and Service Acknowledgement process component 133 includes a Goods and Service Acknowledgement business object. The Goods and service Acknowledgement business object is a document that states the recipient's, for example, a purchaser's, obligation to pay the supplier for goods received or services rendered. An invoice is normally created after the goods and service acknowledgement has been confirmed.

The Supplier Invoicing deployment unit 108 includes a Supplier Invoice Processing process component 136. The Supplier Invoice Processing process component 136 includes a supplier invoice business object and a supplier invoice request business object. The supplier invoice is a document that states the recipient's obligation to pay the supplier for goods received or services rendered. The invoice may be created after the goods and service acknowledgment has been confirmed. The supplier invoice request is a document that is sent to invoice verification, advising that an invoice for specified quantities and prices is expected and may be created through evaluation settlement. The system uses the invoice request as a basis for invoice verification, as well as for the automatic creation of the invoice.

The Payment deployment unit 110 includes a Payment Processing process component 138. The Payment Processing process component 138 is used to handle all incoming and outgoing payments as well as represent the main database for a liquidity status.

The RFQ Processing deployment unit 112 includes an RFQ Processing process component 140. The RFQ Processing process component 140 handles requests for quotation and corresponding quotes. A request for quotation (RFQ) is a description of materials and services that purchasers use to request responses from potential suppliers. Requests for Quotation can be one of a number of types, including: a request for price information, a request for quote that may run over a certain period of time, a request for proposal in complex purchasing situation or live auctions that may be performed over a short time frame. A quote is a response to a request for quotation in which a supplier offers to sell goods and services at a certain price. The quote can be subject to complex pricing and conditions.

The Due Item Management deployment unit 114 includes a Due Item Processing process component 142. The Due Item Processing process component 142 is used to manage all payables, receivables from service and supply and corresponding sales including a withholding tax.

The Requisitioning deployment unit 116 includes an Internal Request Processing process component 144. The Internal Request Processing process component 144 includes an Internal Request business object. Employees of a company may make an internal request for the procurement of goods or services for the company. For example, the employees may order stationary, computer hardware, or removal services by creating an internal request. The internal request can be fulfilled by an issue of a purchase request to the purchasing department, a reservation of goods from stock, or a production request.

The Human Capital Management deployment unit 118 includes a Time and Labor Management process component 148. The Time and Labor Management process component 148 supports the definition of employees' planned working time as well as the recording or the actual working times and absences and their evaluation.

The foundation layer, described below, includes a Source of Supply Determination process component 134.

The Source of Supply Determination process component 134 uses two business objects to determine a source of supply: a supply quota arrangement business object, and a source of supply business object. A supply quota arrangement is a distribution of material requirements or goods to different sources of supply, business partners, or organizational units within a company. An example of the use of supply quota arrangements is the distribution of material requirements between in-house production and different sources for external procurement. A supply quota arrangement can also define the distribution of goods to customers in case of excess production or shortages. A source of supply is an object that describes a logical link between a possible source of products and a possible target.

A number of external process components, described below, will be used to describe the architectural design. These include a Customer Invoice Processing at Supplier process component 137, a Sales Order Processing at Supplier process component 146, a Payment Processing at Business Partner process component 150, a Bank statement create at bank process component 152, and a Payment order processing at house bank process component 154.

The Supplier Invoicing deployment unit 108 receives messages from the Customer Invoice Processing at Supplier processing component 137, which is used, at a supplier, to charge a customer for the delivery of goods or services.

The Sales Order Processing at Supplier process component 146 may receive messages from the RFQ Processing process component 140. The Sales Order Processing at Supplier process component 146 handles customers' requests to a company for delivery of goods or services at a certain time. The requests may be received by a sales area, which is then responsible for fulfilling the contract.

The Payment Processing at Business Partner process component 150, the Bank statement create at bank process component 152, and the Payment order processing at house bank process component 154 may interact with the Payment Processing process component 138. The Payment Processing process component 138 may send updates to a Payment Processing at Business Partner processing component 150, which is used to handle, at business partner, all incoming and outgoing payments and represent the main data base for the liquidity status. The Payment Processing process component 138 also receives messages from the Bank statement creates at bank process component 152. The message may include a bank Statement for a bank account. The Payment Processing process component 138 send messages to the Payment order processing at house bank process component 154. The message may include a Bank Payment Order that is a Payment Order which will be sent to a house bank. The bank payment order may contain bank transfers as well direct debits.

FIG. 2 illustrates the elements of the architecture as they are drawn in the figures of this patent application. The elements of the architecture include the business object (drawn as icon 202), the process component (drawn as icon 204), the operation (drawn as icon 206), the process agent (drawn as icon 208), the service interface or interface (drawn as icon 210), the message (drawn as icon 212), and the deployment unit (drawn as icon 214).

Not explicitly represented in the figures is a foundation layer that contains all fundamental entities that are used in multiple deployment units. These entities can be process components, business objects and reuse service components. A reuse service component is a piece of software that is reused in different transactions. A reuse service component is used by its defined interfaces, which can be local APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) or service interfaces.

In contrast to a deployment unit, the foundation layer does not define a limit for application-defined transactions. Deployment units communicate directly with entities in the foundation layer, which communication is typically not message based. The foundation layer is active in every system instance on which the application is deployed. Business objects in the foundation layer will generally be master data objects. In addition, the foundation layer will include some business process objects that are used by multiple deployment units. Master data objects and business process objects that should be specific to a deployment unit are assigned to their respective deployment unit.

A process component of an external system is drawn as a dashed-line process component (drawn as icon 216). Such a process component may be referred to as an external process component, and it is used to represent the external system in describing interactions with the external system; however, this should be understood to require no more of the external system that it be able to produce and receive messages as required by the process component that interacts with the external system.

The connector icon 218 is used to simplify the drawing of interactions between process components.

The connector icon 218 is used to simplify the drawing of interactions between process components.

Interactions between process component pairs involving their respective business objects, process agents, operations, interfaces, and messages are described as process component interactions, which determine the interactions of a pair of process components across a deployment unit boundary, i.e., from one deployment unit to another deployment unit. Interactions between process components are indicated in FIG. 1 by directed lines (arrows). Interactions between process components within a deployment unit need not be described except to note that they exist, as these interactions are not constrained by the architectural design and can be implemented in any convenient fashion. Interactions between process components that cross a deployment unit boundary will be illustrated by the figures of this patent application; these figures will show the relevant elements associated with potential interaction between two process components, but interfaces, process agents, and business objects that are not relevant to the potential interaction will not be shown.

The architectural design is a specification of a computer software application, and elements of the architectural design can be implemented to realize a software application that implements the end-to-end process mentioned earlier. The elements of the architecture are at times described in this specification as being contained or included in other elements; for example, a process component is described as being contained in a deployment unit. It should be understood, however, that such operational inclusion can be realized in a variety of ways and is not limited to a physical inclusion of the entirety of one element in another.

The architectural elements include the business object. A business object is a representation of a type of a uniquely identifiable business entity (an object instance) described by a structural model. Processes operate on business objects.

A business object represents a specific view on some well-defined business content. A business object represents content, which a typical business user would expect and understand with little explanation. Business objects are further categorized as business process objects and master data objects. A master data object is an object that encapsulates master data (i.e., data that is valid for a period of time). A business process object, which is the kind of business object generally found in a process component, is an object that encapsulates transactional data (i.e., data that is valid for a point in time). The term business object will be used generically to refer to a business process object and a master data object, unless the context requires otherwise. Properly implemented, business objects are implemented free of redundancies.

The architectural elements also include the process component. A process component is a software package that realizes a business process and generally exposes its functionality as services. The functionality contains business transactions. A process component contains one or more semantically related business objects. Any business object belongs to no more than one process component.

Process components are modular and context-independent. That they are context-independent means that a process component is not specific to any specific application and is reusable. The process component is the smallest (most granular) element of reuse in the architecture.

The architectural elements also include the operation. An operation belongs to exactly one process component. A process component generally has multiple operations. Operations can be synchronous or asynchronous, corresponding to synchronous or asynchronous process agents, which will be described below. An operation is the smallest, separately-callable function, described by a set of data types used as input, output, and fault parameters serving as a signature.

The architectural elements also include the service interface, referred to simply as the interface. An interface is a named group of operations. Each operation belongs to exactly one interface. An interface belongs to exactly one process component. A process component might contain multiple interfaces. In one implementation, an interface contains only inbound or outbound operations, but not a mixture of both. One interface can contain both synchronous and asynchronous operations. All operations of the same type (either inbound or outbound) which belong to the same message choreography will belong to the same interface. Thus, generally, all outbound operations to the same other process component are in one interface.

The architectural elements also include the message. Operations transmit and receive messages. Any convenient messaging infrastructure can be used. A message is information conveyed from one process component instance to another, with the expectation that activity will ensue. An operation can use multiple message types for inbound, outbound, or error messages. When two process components are in different deployment units, invocation of an operation of one process component by the other process component is accomplished by an operation on the other process component sending a message to the first process component.

The architectural elements also include the process agent. Process agents do business processing that involves the sending or receiving of messages. Each operation will generally have at least one associated process agent. A process agent can be associated with one or more operations. Process agents can be either inbound or outbound, and either synchronous or asynchronous.

Asynchronous outbound process agents are called after a business object changes, e.g., after a create, update, or delete of a business object instance.

Synchronous outbound process agents are generally triggered directly by a business object.

An output process agent will generally perform some processing of the data of the business object instance whose change triggered the event. An outbound agent triggers subsequent business process steps by sending messages using well-defined outbound services to another process component, which generally will be in another deployment unit, or to an external system. An outbound process agent is linked to the one business object that triggers the agent, but it is sent not to another business object but rather to another process component. Thus, the outbound process agent can be implemented without knowledge of the exact business object design of the recipient process component.

Inbound process agents are called after a message has been received. Inbound process agents are used for the inbound part of a message-based communication. An inbound process agent starts the execution of the business process step requested in a message by creating or updating one or multiple business object instances. An inbound process agent is not the agent of a business object but of its process component. An inbound process agent can act on multiple business objects in a process component.

Synchronous agents are used when a process component requires a more or less immediate response from another process component, and is waiting for that response to continue its work.

Operations and process components are described in this specification in terms of process agents. However, in alternative implementations, process components and operations can be implemented without use of agents using other conventional techniques to perform the functions described in this specification.

The architectural elements also include the deployment unit. A deployment unit includes one or more process components that are deployed together on a single computer system platform. Conversely, separate deployment units can be deployed on separate physical computing systems. The process components of one deployment unit interact with those of another deployment unit using messages passed through one or more data communication networks or other suitable communication channels. Thus, a deployment unit deployed on a platform belonging one business can interact with a deployment unit software entity deployed on a separate platform belonging to a different and unrelated business, allowing for business-to-business communication. More than one instance of a given deployment unit can execute at the same time, on the same computing system or on separate physical computing systems. This arrangement allows the functionality offered by a deployment unit to be scaled to meet demand by creating as many instances as needed.

Since interaction between deployment units is through service operations, a deployment unit can be replaced by other another deployment unit as long as the new deployment unit supports the operations depended upon by other deployment units. Thus, while deployment units can depend on the external interfaces of process components in other deployment units, deployment units are not dependent on process component interaction within other deployment units. Similarly, process components that interact with other process components or external systems only through messages, e.g., as sent and received by operations, can also be replaced as long as the replacement supports the operations of the original.

Interactions Between Process Components “Payment Processing” and “Accounting”

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing interactions between a Payment Processing process component 302 and an Accounting process component 304 in the architectural design of FIG. 1. The Payment Processing process component 302 includes ten business objects: a Bill of Exchange Submission business object 306, an Incoming Check business object 308, a Check Deposit business object 310, a Payment Order business object 312, a Bank Statement business object 314, a Bill of Exchange Receivable business object 316, a Cash Transfer business object 318, a Payment Allocation business object 320, a Clearing House Payment Order business object 322, and a Cash Payment business object 324.

The Bill of Exchange Submission business object 306 sends incoming bill of exchange receivables to the house bank for cashing. The Incoming Check business object 308 represents a check sent by a business partner. The incoming check will be sent to the house bank by a check deposit. The Check Deposit business object 310 sends a collection of incoming checks to the house bank for cashing. The Payment Order business object 312 creates payment media for either a bank, a credit card a settlement institute, or a business partner on the base of payment requests. The Bank Statement business object 314 is a bank statement for a house bank account. The Bill of Exchange Receivable business object 316 represents a Bill of Exchange received from a business partner or a Bill of Exchange Request sent to a business partner. The Cash Transfer business object 318 is a document that shows an internal money transfer between: a bank account and another bank account (bank transfer), a cash account and a bank account (cash deposit), a bank account and a cash account (cash withdrawal), or a cash account and another cash account (cash transfer). The Payment Allocation business object 320 documents a process step by which open payments of different types belonging to one another are indicated as confirmed or sent to other components for post processing. For example, an incoming check may confirm a payment advice or a bank statement item may confirm a check deposit. The Clearing House Payment Order business object 322 is an order document for clearing a collection of credit card payments to the clearing house. The Cash Payment business object 324 is a document showing an incoming or outgoing cash payment from or to a business partner.

The Payment Processing process component 302 also includes a number of outbound process agents, each tied to a particular business object. The Notify of Payment from Bill of Exchange Submission to Accounting outbound process agent 326 creates an accounting notification from the Bill of Exchange Submission business object 306. The Notify of Payment from Incoming Check to Accounting outbound process agent 328 may notify the Accounting process component 304 of a bounced or cancelled check. The Notify of Payment from Check Deposit to Accounting outbound process agent 330 may notify the Accounting process component 304 of a change in status of a check deposit. For example, a notification may be sent stating that a deposit is ready for transfer to another account. The Notify of Payment from Payment Order to Accounting outbound process agent 332 may notify the Accounting process component 304 of a payment by payment order or a cancellation of payment. The Notify of Payment from Bank Statement to Accounting outbound process agent 334 may notify the Accounting process component 304 of a payment by bank account or a cancellation of payment. The Notify of Payment from BoE Receivable to Accounting outbound process agent 336 may notify the Accounting process component 304 of a payment made by a bill of exchange or a cancellation of payment. The Notify of Payment from Cash Transfer to Accounting outbound process component 338 may notify the Accounting process component 304 about a transfer of money between house bank accounts and/or cash accounts or a cancellation of payment. The Notify of Payment from Payment Allocation to Accounting outbound process agent 340 may notify the Accounting process component 304 of a payment made by a payment allocation or a cancellation of payment. The notify of Payment from Credit Card Settlement to Accounting outbound process agent 342 may notify the Accounting process component 304 of a payment made by credit card or a cancellation of payment. The Notify of Payment from Cash Payment to Accounting outbound process agent 344 may notify the Accounting process component 304 of a payment made by cash or a cancellation of payment.

The outbound process agents above may cause invocation of a Notify of Payment operation 346 or a Notify of Payment Cancellation operation 348 to update accounting. The operations may be included in a Payment Accounting Out interface 350. The Payment Accounting Out interface 350 may send a Payment Accounting Notification message 352 or a Payment Accounting Cancellation Notification message 354 to a Payment Accounting In interface 356 in the Accounting process component 304. The Payment Accounting In interface 356 includes a Create Accounting Document operation 358 or a Cancel Accounting Document operation 360 depending on the received message. A Maintain Accounting Document based on Payment inbound processing component 362 updates the Accounting Notification business object 364. The Accounting Notification business object 364 is a common input channel for all kinds of operational business transactions into Financial Accounting. The Accounting Notification may also be called by operational components in order to record the business transactions in Financial Accounting.

Interactions Between Process Components “Purchase Request Processing” and “RFQ Processing”

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing interactions between a Purchase Request Processing process component 402 and an RFQ Processing process component 404 in the architectural design of FIG. 1.

The Purchase Request Processing process component 402 includes a Purchase Request business object 406. The Purchase Request business object 406 contains a request or instruction to the purchasing department to purchase goods or services in specified quantities within a particular period.

In the Purchase Request Processing process component 402, a Request Request for Quote Execution from Purchase Request to RFQ Processing outbound process agent 408 requests the execution of a request for quote. The outbound process agent 408 uses a Request Request for Quote Execution operation 412 to send an RFQ Execution Request message 414 to the RFQ Processing process component 404. The Request Request for Quote Execution operation 412 is part of a Request for Quote Out interface 410.

The RFQ Execution Request message 414 is received by a Maintain Request for Quote operation 418 in a Request for Quote In interface 416, where the operation 418 initiates a Maintain Request for Quote inbound process agent 420, which creates or updates a Request For Quote business object out of business documents, such as the Request for Quote business object document 422 that are involved in the bidding process or in the negotiation process. Next, the Confirm Request for Quote outbound process agent 424 receives the request for quote and initiates a Confirm Request for Quote operation 428 in a Request for Quote Out Interface 426.

The Confirm Request for Quote operation 428 sends a RFQ Execution Confirmation message 430 to the Purchase Request Processing process component 402 to confirm a RFQ execution. The Change Purchase Request operation 434, which is part of a Request for Quote In interface 432, receives the message and initiates a Change Purchase Request based on Request for Quote inbound process agent 436. The inbound process agent 436 updates the references of the purchase request in the Purchase Request business object 406.

Interactions Between Process Components “Bank Statement Creation at Bank” and “Payment Processing”

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing interactions between a Bank statement creation at bank process component 502 and a Payment Processing process component 504 in the architectural design of FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 5, a bank statement is created at a bank and a Bank Statement Notification message 506 with statement information is transmitted. The Payment Processing process component 504 receives the Bank Statement Notification message 506 into the Bank Statement Processing In interface 508 where a Create Bank Statement operation 510 is invoked to create a bank statement in the Payment Processing process component 504. A Maintain Bank Statement inbound process agent 512 updates the Bank Statement business object 514 by creating a new bank statement or modifying an existing bank statement. For example, the bank statement may be a statement for a house bank account where modifications are made when bills are paid.

Interactions Between Process Components “Time and Labor Management” and “Goods and Service Acknowledgement”

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing interactions between a Time and Labor Management process component 602 and a Goods and Service Acknowledgement process component 604.

The Time and Labor Management process component 602 includes an Employee Time Calendar business object 606 that gives a read-only information of a calendar based overview of different time data (e.g., Planned working time, an absences and working time confirmation) of employees and their superposition (e.g., illness, vacation, etc.). The Employee Time Calendar business object 606 may use a Notify Goods and Services Acknowledgement outbound process agent 608 to invoke a Notify of Goods and service Acknowledgement Notification operation 610 or a Notify of Goods and Service Acknowledgement Cancellation operation 612, which are both included in the Internal Service Acknowledgement Out interface 614. The Notify of Goods and service Acknowledgement Notification operation 610 notifies the Goods and Service Acknowledgement process component 604 of a service provided by an external employee. The Notify of Goods and service Acknowledgement Notification operation 610 sends a Goods and Service Acknowledgement Request message 616 when an active employee time with Goods and Service Acknowledgement relevant information is created or changed.

The Goods and Service Acknowledgement process component 604 receives the Goods and Service Acknowledgement Request message 616 via an Internal Acknowledgement In interface 618. Upon receipt of the Goods and Service Acknowledgement Request message 616, a Create Goods and Service Acknowledgement operation 620 is invoked to create Goods and service Acknowledgement, and Time and Labor Management by initiating a Maintain GSA based on Internal Acknowledgment inbound process agent 622. The Maintain GSA based on Internal Acknowledgment inbound process agent 622 updates or creates a Goods and Service Acknowledgement business object 624 to report the receipt of goods and services. The Goods and Service Acknowledgement business object 624 may be used when employees of a company can confirm that they have received the goods and services they ordered through internal requests, purchasers, or designated recipients of goods and services, can confirm that they have received the goods and services they ordered on behalf of the employees for whom they are responsible, or suppliers or service providers can report that they have delivered the requested goods, or have rendered they requested services.

The Notify Goods and Services Acknowledgement outbound process agent 608 may also invoke the Notify of Goods and Service Acknowledgement Cancellation operation 612 to notify the Goods and Service Acknowledgement process component 604 of a cancellation of goods and service. The Notify of Goods and Service Acknowledgement Cancellation operation 612 sends a Goods and Service Acknowledgement Cancellation Request message 626 when an active employee time with Goods and Service Acknowledgement relevant information is cancelled. Upon receipt of the Goods and Service Acknowledgement Cancellation Request message 626, a Cancel Goods and Service Acknowledgement operation 628 is invoked to cancel Goods and service Acknowledgement. Next, the Maintain GSA based on Internal Acknowledgment inbound process agent 622 updates the Goods and Service Acknowledgement business object 624 to report the cancellation of goods and services.

Interactions Between Process Components “Supplier Invoice Processing” and “Due Item Processing”

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing interactions between a Supplier Invoice Processing process component 702 and Due Item Processing process component 704 in the architectural design of FIG. 1.

A Supplier Invoice Processing process component 702 includes a Supplier Invoice business object 706 which is a document that states the recipient's (usually the purchaser's) obligation to pay the supplier for goods received or services rendered. The invoice is normally created after the goods and service acknowledgment has been confirmed. The Notify Supplier of Invoice to a Due Item Processing outbound process agent 708 invokes a Notify of Invoice operation 710 to notify the Due Item processing component 704 about the receivables/payables due for the invoice that has been paid. Alternatively, a Request Invoice Cancellation operation 712 may be invoked to cancel the previously sent notification for receivables/payables due. Both operations may be included in a Receivables Payables Out interface 714. If the Notify of Invoice operation 710 is invoked, then a Receivables Payables Notification message 716 is sent to the Due Item Processing process component 704. If the Request Invoice Cancellation operation 712 is invoked, the Receivables/Payables Cancellation Request message 718 is sent to the Due Item Processing process component 704.

The Receivables/Payables Messages 716, 718 are received by a Receivables/Payables In interface 720 where operations may be performed. If the notification message 716 is received, then a Create Receivables/Payables operation 722 is performed to create a trade and/or tax receivable or payable. If the cancellation message 718 is received, then a Cancel Receivables/Payables operation 724 is performed to cancel a trade and/or tax receivable or payable. Cancellations and updates may be sent by a Maintain Trade and Tax Receivables Payables inbound process agent 726 to one or more of three business objects: a Trade Receivables Payables Register business object 728, a Tax Receivables Payables Register business object 730, or a Due Clearing business object 732. The Trade Receivables Payables Register business object 728 may register for all trade receivables and payables from goods and services of a company from/to its business partners. The Tax Receivables Payables Register business object 730 may register for all tax receivables and payables of a company that are due for delivered goods and rendered services between buyers and sellers, the consumption of goods, and the transfer of goods that are withheld from payments to vendors. The Due Clearing business object 732 is group of receivables and payables for clearing. “Clearing” means that the amounts of the receivables and payables of a group balance to zero taking cash discounts and other deductions into account. The “group” is typically payments and invoices that belong together but it can also be credit memos and invoices, or customer and vendor invoices. A group results uniquely from the invoice reference information of a payment.

Interactions Between Process Components “Project Processing” and “Purchase Request Processing”

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing interactions between a Project Processing process component 802 and a Purchase Request Processing process component 804 in the architectural design of FIG. 1.

The Project Processing process component 802 includes a Project business object 806. The Project business object 806 is a business operation that is characterized by the unique set of conditions on which it is based. For example, the set conditions may include the targets to be met, the organization structure, and the financial, personal, time constraints on the project, and other conditions that may be included in the order. The Project business object 806 is structured by project elements, such as phases and tasks. The Project Processing process component 802 also includes a Request Service from Project to Purchase Request Processing outbound process agent 808 that may invoke a Request Service operation 810 when a project manager enters a demand for an external source or service related to project tasks. Via a Purchasing Out interface 812, the Request Service operation 810 sends a Purchase Request Request message 814 to the Purchase Request Processing process component 804. The Purchase Request Processing process component 804 includes a Purchasing In interface 816 that includes a Maintain Purchase Request operation 818 to receive the Purchase Request Request message 814. The Maintain Purchase Request operation 818 invokes a Maintain Purchase Request inbound process agent 820 to create, change, or chancel a Purchase Request business object 822.

The Purchase Request Processing process component 804 includes a Confirm Purchase Request outbound process agent 824 to confirm the creation, change, or cancellation of the Purchase request business object 822. The Confirm Purchase Request outbound process agent 824 then invokes a Confirm Purchase Request operation 826. The Confirm Purchase Request operation 826 is included in a Purchasing Out interface 828. The Purchasing Out interface 828 and the Confirm Purchase Request operation 826 confirms the creation, change, or cancellation of the Purchase request business object 822 by sending out a Purchase Request Confirmation message 830 to the Project Processing process component 802.

The Project Processing process component 802 includes a Purchasing In interface 832, which includes a Change Project based on Purchase Request Confirmation operation 834 to receive the Purchase Request Confirmation message 830. The Change Project based on Purchase Request Confirmation operation 834 informs the requester of the extent to which a requisition has been fulfilled. For example, the Change Project based on Purchase Request Confirmation operation 834 may informs the requester that the requested quantity of goods is ordered or rejected. By doing so, a Change Project based on Purchase Request Confirmation inbound process agent 836 is invoked to update the Project business object 806.

Interactions Between Process Components “Payment Processing” and “Payment Processing at Business Partner”

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the interactions between a Payment Processing process component 902 and a Processing at Business Partner process component 904 in the architectural design of FIG. 1. The Payment Processing process component 902 is used to handle all incoming and outgoing payments and to represent the main database for a liquidity status. Business partners may be any third party operating an independent system.

The interaction model begins in the Payment Processing process component 902 with a Payment Order business object 906. The Payment Order business object 906 creates payment media for either a bank, a credit card a settlement institute, or a business partner on the base of payment requests. After the payment is created, the Payment Order business object 906 sends a notification using a Notify of Payment from the Payment Order to the Business Partner outbound process agent 908. A Payment Order can create different (sub) items within a payment, one for each check, bank transfer etc. that is sent if the payment medium is subject to amount limitations. The Payment Processing process component 902 also contains an outgoing payment Advicing Out interface 910 that includes a Notify of Payment operation 912. The Notify of Payment operation 912 creates a payment advice and sends a Payment Advice Notification message 914 to the Payment Processing at Business Partner processing component 904.

Interactions Between Process Components “Payment Processing” and “Project Processing”

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing interactions between a Payment Processing process component 1002 and a Project Processing process component 1004 in the architectural design of FIG. 1.

The process component interaction model begins the Payment Processing process component 1002 with a Purchase Order business object 1006 having an update. The Purchase Order business object 1006 is a request from a purchaser to an external supplier to deliver a specified quantity of goods, or perform a specified service, within a specified time. When the Purchase Order business object 1006 has been created, changed or cancelled, a notification may be sent using a Notify of Purchase Order to Project Processing outbound process agent 1008. The Purchasing Out interface 1010 includes a Notify of Purchase Order operation 1012 that creates, changes, or cancels a Purchase. A Purchase Order Notification message 1014 is sent to a Purchasing In interface 1016 in the Project Processing process component 1004. A Change Project based on Purchase Order operation 1018 may be invoked to inform a project business object 1022 about the creation of a purchase order for an external resource that was ordered by the project manager. Similar to the Project business object 806, the Project business object 1022 is a business operation that is characterized by the unique set of conditions on which it is based. An update to the Project business object 1022 will be sent using a Change Project based on Purchase Order inbound process agent 1020.

Interactions Between Process Components “RFQ Processing” and “Purchase Order Processing”

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing interactions between an RFQ Processing process component 1102 and a Purchase Order Processing process component 1104 in the architectural design of FIG. 1. The process component interaction model begins the Request for Quote Processing process component 1102 with a Supplier Quote business object 1106 having an update. The Supplier Quote business object 1106 is a response to a Request for Quote, in which a supplier offers to sell materials and services according to the requested criteria. A request may be sent using a Request Purchase Order form supplier Quote to Purchase Order Processing outbound process agent 1108. The Purchasing Out interface 1110 includes a Request Purchase Order from Winning Quote operation 1112 that creates or updates a Purchase Request based on accepted Supplier Quote. A Supplier quote Award Notification message 1114 is sent to a Purchasing In interface 1116 in the Purchase Order Processing process component 1104. A Create Purchase Order based on Winning Quote operation 1118 may be invoked to create a Purchase Order from an accepted Supplier Quote. An update to a Purchase Order business object 1122 will be sent using a Maintain Purchase Order based on Winning Quote inbound process agent 1120.

Interactions Between Process Components “Internal Request Processing” and “Purchase Request Processing”

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing interactions between an Internal Request Processing process component 1202 and a Purchase Request Processing process component 1204. The Internal Request Processing process component 1202 includes an Internal Request business object 1206. The Internal Request business object 1206 is a request for the procurement of goods and services. The Internal Request business object 1206 can be fulfilled by a Purchase Request business object or an In-house Requirement business object.

An approval of an internal request may trigger a Request Purchasing from Internal Request to Purchase Request Processing outbound process agent 1208. The Request Purchasing from Internal Request to Purchase Request Processing outbound process agent 1208 may initiate to transmit a message for ordering the requested items through a Purchasing Out interface 1210. The Purchasing Out interface 1210 includes a Request Purchasing operation 1212 that may request from a supply planner to procure product or services. The Request Purchasing operation 1212 may also change a previous request. The Request Purchasing operation 1212 sends a Purchase Request Request message 1214 to the Purchase Request Processing process component 1204.

The Purchase Request Processing process component 1204 may receive the Purchase Request Request message 1214 using a Purchasing In interface 1216. Upon receiving the Purchase Request Request message 1214, the Purchasing In interface 1216 includes a Maintain Purchase Request operation 1218 to create or update a request from a requester to a purchaser to externally procure products (e.g. material, or services). For example, the Maintain Purchase Request operation 1218 may create, using a Maintain Purchase Request inbound process agent 1220, a Purchase Request business object 1222. The Purchase Request business object 1222 is a request or instruction to the purchasing specified goods or services in specified quantities within a specified time.

A creation, update, or cancellation of the Purchase Request business object 1222 may trigger a Confirm Purchase Request outbound process agent 1224. The Confirm Purchase Request outbound process agent 1224 may invoke a Confirmation Purchase Request operation 1228 to transmit a confirmation of the creation, update, or cancellation of the Purchase Request business object 1222. The Confirmation Purchase Request operation 1228 then sends, via a Purchasing Out interface 1226, a Purchase Request Confirmation message 1230 to the Internal Request Processing process component 1202.

The Internal Request Processing process component 1202 receives the Purchase Request Confirmation message 1230 through a Purchasing In interface 1232. The Purchasing In interface 1232 includes a Change Internal Request based on Procurement Progress operation 1234. The Change Internal Request based on Procurement Progress operation 1234 confirms the creation, change, or cancellation of the Purchase Request business object 1222 by updating the Internal Request business object 1206 using a Change Internal Request based on Procurement Progress inbound process agent 1236.

Interactions Between Process Components “Due Item Processing” and “Payment Processing”

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing interactions between a Due Item Processing process component 1302 and a Payment Processing process component 1304 in the architectural design of FIG. 1. The Due Item Processing process component 1302 may be used to manage all payables and receivables from service and supply and corresponding sales including a withholding tax. The Payment Processing process component 1304 is used to handle all incoming and outgoing payments and represent the main database for a liquidity status.

The process components include business objects to create and update data by passing messages between the Payment Request process component 1304 and the Due Item Processing process component 1302. Multiple operations can be carried out within the interfaces. Both inbound and outbound process agents carry the business object data to and from the interfaces.

A due payment business object 1306 may create payment requests manually or automatically for payment processing. The due payment business object 1306 is responsible for the payment and clearing of payables and receivables for goods and services. A product tax declaration business object 1308 is a declaration of the product tax liabilities/receivables of a company to the responsible tax authority according to the tax declaration arrangement and country specific legal requirements that triggers the payment to the tax authority.

A Synchronous Request Payment Reservation interface from Due Payment to Payment Processing outbound process component 1310 may create a payment reservation request from Due Payment. The Payment Request Out interface 1312 includes several operations which go on to create messages and updates to business objects in the Payment Processing process component 1304. The operations, messaging and business objects are discussed in the following paragraphs.

The Payment Request Out interface 1312 includes a synchronous Request payment information and provisional Payment Reservation operation 1314 that generates a Payment Order Reservation Request message 1316 to request a payment order reservation. A synchronous Create Payment Reservation operation 1317 receives the message and uses a Sync Maintain Payment Reservation inbound process agent 1322 to update a Payment Order business object 1324. In addition, a Payment Order Reservation Confirmation synchronous message 1320 is sent back to the Due Item Processing process component 1302.

The Payment Request Out interface 1312 also includes a Notify of provisional Payment Reservation Deletion operation 1315 that registers the change of a provisional payment to the last transactional/saved state. A Payment Order Reservation Cancellation Notification message 1327 may be generated and a Cancel Payment Reservation operation 1328 may be invoked that cancels a previously sent payment reservation by reference. Next, a maintain Payment Order inbound process agent sends an update to the Payment Order business object 1324.

The Payment Request Out interface 1312 further includes a synchronous Request Payment Information and provisional Payment Reservation Change operation 1318 that requests payment information with a provisional reservation of money in payment processing. A Payment Order Reservation Change Request synchronous message 1330 is generated and a synchronous Sync Change Payment Reservation operation 1332 is invoked that changes a reservation of payment and confirms the change to the caller. Next, a Payment Reservation Confirmation synchronous message 1334 may be generated and sent back to the Due Item Processing process component 1302.

The Payment Request Out interface 1312 further includes a Notify of provisional Payment Reservation Change Deletion operation 1320 that registers the change of a provisional payment to the last transactional/saved state. A Payment Order Reservation Change Deletion Cancellation Notification message 1336 may be generated and a Change Payment Reservation operation 1338 may be invoked that changes a previously sent payment reservation by reference. Upon completion of the operation 1338, the Maintain Payment Order inbound process agent 1340 updates the Payment Order business object 1324.

A Request Payment from Due Payment to Payment Processing outbound process agent 1342 may send a payment update to the Payment Processing process component 1304 from a Due Payment business object 1306. A Request Payment operation 1344 is then invoked that sends a request for payment to Payment Processing. Upon completion of the operation, a Payment Order Request message 1346 is sent the Payment Processing process component 1304, where a Create Payment Order operation 1348 begins. Then, the Maintain Payment Order inbound process agent 1340 updates the Payment Order business object 1324 to create or cancel a payment order.

A Request Payment from Product Tax Declaration to Payment Processing outbound process agent 1359 may send an update from a Product Tax Declaration business object 1308. The update is sent into the Payment Request Out interface 1312 and a Request Payment Cancellation operation 1350 is invoked to cancel a provisional, requested or ordered payment. A Payment Order Cancellation Request message 1352 is then generated and sent to the Payment Processing process component where a Cancel Payment Order operation 1354 is invoked.

The payment order business object may use a Confirm Payment Request from Payment Order to Due Item Processing outbound process agent 1364 to confirm the processing status of a payment to the sender of a payment request. A Confirm Payment Request operation 1362 may then be invoked, thereby generating a Payment Order Request Confirmation message 1360 to send to the Due Item Processing process component 1302. The message is received in a Change payment based on Payment Request Confirmation operation 1356 that uses a Change Due Payment based on Payment Request Confirmation outbound process agent 1358 to update the processing status of Due Payment based on the confirmation of a payment request.

Interactions Between Process Components “Purchase Order Processing” and “Sales Order Processing at Supplier”

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing interactions between a Purchase Order Processing process component 1402 and a Sales Order Processing at Supplier process component 1404 in the architectural design of FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 14, the Purchase Order Processing process component 1402 includes a Purchase Order business object 1406 which is a request from a purchaser to an external supplier to deliver a specified quantity of goods, or perform a specified service, within a specified time. The Request Purchase Order to Supplier outbound process agent 1408 can request invocation of a Request Purchase Order Creation operation 1412, a Request Purchase Order Cancellation operation 1414, or a Request Purchase Order Change operation 1416 in an Ordering Out interface 1417.

The Request Purchase Order Cancellation operation 1414 requests a Cancellation of a Purchase Order that was formerly ordered at a supplier which creates a Purchase Order Cancellation Request message 1418. The Request Purchase Order Change operation 1416 requests a change of a purchase order that was formerly ordered at the supplier which creates a Purchase Order Change Request message 1420. The Request Purchase Order Creation operation 1412 requests a Purchase Order from a Supplier which creates a Purchase Order Change Request 1422.

Upon receiving a create, a change, or a cancellation message, the Sales Order Processing process component 1404 may create a Purchase Order Confirmation message 1423 to update the Purchase Order Processing component 1402. To complete the update, a Create Purchase Order Confirmation operation 1424, included in an Order In interface 1425, may transfer the update to a Purchase Order Confirmation business object 1428 by using a Create Purchase Order inbound process agent 1429. The Purchase Order Confirmation business object 1428 is a confirmation from an external supplier to the request of a purchaser to deliver a specified quantity of material, or perform a specified service, at a specified price within a specified time.

Interactions Between Process Components “Customer Invoice Processing at Supplier” and “Supplier Invoice Processing”

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing interactions between a Customer Invoice Processing at Supplier process component 1502 and a Supplier Invoice Processing process component 1504 in the architectural design of FIG. 1.

The Supplier Invoice Processing process component 1504 receives an Invoice Request message 1506 into an Invoicing In interface 1508, which includes a Create Invoice operation 1510 that creates a supplier invoice based on information received from the supplier or a different invoicing party. A Create Supplier Invoice based on Invoice Request inbound process agent 1512 updates a Supplier Invoice business object 1514. The Supplier Invoice business object 1514 is a document that states the recipient's obligation to pay the supplier for goods received or services rendered.

After the update occurs, a Confirm Invoice to Supplier outbound process agent 1516 sends an update to an Invoicing Out interface 1518 which includes a Confirm Invoice operation 1520. The Confirm Invoice operation 1520 sends an Invoice Confirmation message 1521 to notify the supplier whether the previously sent invoice is accepted or rejected, depending on the outcome of invoice verification. A Request ERS (Evaluated Receipt Settlement) Invoice to Supplier outbound process agent 1522 may also be triggered send a message to the Customer Invoice Processing at Supplier process component 1502 via a ERS Invoicing Out interface 1523. The ERS Invoicing Out interface 1523 creates an Invoice Request message 1524 by a Request ERS Invoice operation 1526.

Interactions Between Process Components “Due Item Processing” and “Accounting”

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing interactions between a Due Item Processing process component 1602 and an Accounting process component 1604 in the architectural design of FIG. 1.

The Due Item Processing process component 1602 includes three business objects: a Due Clearing business object 1606 to clear the amounts of the receivables and payables of a group balance to zero taking cash discounts and other deductions into account, a Due Payment business object 1608 to create payment requests for payment processing, and a Product Tax Declaration business object 1610 to declare the product tax liabilities/receivables of a company to the responsible tax authority according to the tax declaration arrangement and country specific legal requirements that triggers the payment to the tax authority.

The business objects send updates into one of three outbound process agents: a Notify of Payment from Due Clearing to Accounting outbound process agent 1612, which sends notification for a clearing of trade receivables and/or payables to Accounting, a Notify of Payment from Due Payment to Accounting outbound process agent 1614, which sends notification to Accounting for inward or outward trade receivables and/or payables payments, and a Notify of Payment from Product Tax Declaration to Accounting outbound process agent 1616, which sends notification for a payment of tax receivables and/or payables to Accounting.

A Payment Accounting Out interface 1618 includes a Notify of Payment operation 1620, which sends a Payment Accounting Notification message 1621 to the Accounting process component 1604 notifying Financial Accounting about inward or outward movements of trade or tax receivables or payables. Alternatively, a Request Payment Cancellation operation 1622 is invoked that sends a Payment Accounting Cancellation Request message 1623 to the Accounting process component 1604 canceling an inward or outward movement of trade or tax receivables or payables in Financial Accounting.

The Accounting process component 1604 receives the messages in a Payment Accounting In interface 1624, which includes a Create Accounting Document operation 1626 to receive Payment Accounting Notification from Payment Processing or Due Item Processing. If the message received was a cancellation, a Cancel Accounting Document operation 1628 is invoked which cancels the payment processing or due item processing. Updates are sent to an Accounting Notification business object 1630 using a Maintain Accounting Document based on Payment inbound process agent 1632. The Accounting Notification business object 1630 is a common input channel for all kinds of operational business transactions into Financial Accounting that is called by operational components in order to record the business transactions in Financial Accounting.

Interactions Between Process Components “Goods and Service Acknowledgement” and “Accounting”

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing interactions between a Goods and Service Acknowledgement process component 1702 and an Accounting process component 1704 in the architectural design of FIG. 1.

The Goods and Service Acknowledgement process component 1702 includes a Good and Service Acknowledgement business object 1706, a document reporting the receipt of goods and services. When the Good and Service Acknowledgement business object 1706 has been confirmed and valuation is expected at this point of time, a Notify of Goods and Service Acknowledgement to Accounting outbound process agent 1708 is triggered to notify to accounting if valuation is required when goods and service acknowledgement is confirmed. The Notify of Goods and Service Acknowledgement to Accounting outbound process agent 1708 may call one of the operations included in a Goods and Service Accounting Out interface 1710, a Notify of Goods and Service Acknowledgement operation 1712 and a Notify of Goods and Service Acknowledge Cancellation operation 1714. If the Notify of Goods and Service Acknowledgement operation 1712 is called, it may send accounting information about rendered goods or services performed to the Accounting process component 1704 by transmitting a Goods and Service Acknowledgement Accounting Notification message 1716. The Accounting process component 1704 may receive the message 1716 through a Goods and Service Accounting In interface 1718, which include a Create Accounting Document operation 1720. The Create Accounting Document operation 1720 receives Goods Movement Resource Consumption Notification from the Goods and Service Acknowledgement process component 1702. The operation 1720 may trigger a Maintain Accounting Document based on a Goods and Service Acknowledgement Description inbound process agent 1722 to update or create an Accounting Notification business object 1724.

If the Notify of Goods and Service Acknowledgement to Accounting outbound process agent 1708 calls the Notify of Goods and Service Acknowledgement Cancellation operation 1714, the operation 1714 may send accounting information about cancellation of rendered goods or services to the Accounting process component 1704 by transmitting a Goods and Service Acknowledgement Cancellation Request message 1726. The Accounting process component 1704 may receive the message 1726 through the Goods and Service Accounting In interface 1718. The Cancel Accounting Document operation 1728 receives the Goods and Service Acknowledgement Cancellation Request message 1726 from the Goods and Service Acknowledgement process component 1702. The operation 1728 may also trigger the Maintain Accounting Document based on a Goods and Service Acknowledgement Description inbound process agent 1722 to cancel the Accounting Notification business object 1724.

Interactions Between Process Components “Supplier Invoice Processing” and “Purchasing Contract Processing”

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing interactions between a Supplier Invoice Processing process component 1802 and a Purchasing Contract Processing process component 1804 in the architectural design of FIG. 1.

The process component interaction model begins the Supplier Invoice Processing process component 1802 with a Supplier Invoice business object 1806 having an update. The Supplier Invoice business object 1806 is a document that states the recipient's obligation to pay the supplier for goods received or services rendered. When the Supplier Invoice business object is updated, a notification may be sent using a Notify of Contact Release from Supplier Invoice Request to Purchasing Contract Processing outbound process agent 1808. The Contract Release Out interface 1810 includes a Notify of Contract Release operation 1812 that may be called in case of a change in a contract related invoice is posted. A Purchasing Contract release Notification message 1814 is sent to a Contract Release In interface 1816 in the Purchasing Contract Processing process component 1804. Maintain Purchasing Contract Release operation 1818 may be invoked to create or update contract releases from the Supplier Invoice business object 1806. An update to the Purchasing Contract business object 1822 will be sent using a Maintain Purchasing Contract Release inbound process agent 1820.

Interactions Between Process Components “Supplier Invoice Processing” and “Accounting”

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing interactions between a Supplier Invoice Processing process component 1902 and an Accounting process component 1904 in the architectural design of FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 19, the Supplier Invoice Processing process component 1902 includes a Supplier Invoice business object 1906. The Supplier Invoice business object 1906 is or represents a document that states a recipient's obligation to pay a supplier for goods received or services rendered. For example, the Supplier Invoice business object 1906 may be created after a goods and service acknowledgement has been confirmed. The Supplier Invoice business object 1906 may then trigger a Notify of Supplier Invoice to Accounting outbound process agent 1908, which notifies accounting of the existence of the supplier invoice. For example, once the supplier invoice is posted to the system, the outbound processing agent 1908 sends a notification to accounting stating the Supplier Invoice business object 1906 has been posted.

The processing agent provides an Invoice Accounting Out interface 1910 with the notification and additional data such as invoice billing numbers or a credit memo. Here, the interface 1910 includes the Notify of Invoice operation 1912 and the Request Invoice Cancellation operation 1914. The Notify of Invoice operation 1912 may be invoked if the invoice accounting out interface receives a notification to post an invoice. Upon performing the Notify of Invoice operation 1912, the Invoice Accounting interface 1910 sends an Invoice Accounting Notification message 1916 with the invoice accounting notification. Alternatively, the Request Invoice Cancellation operation 1914 may be invoked if the Invoice Accounting interface 1910 receives information requesting a cancellation. For example, the Request Invoice Cancellation operation 1914 may be invoked in order to cancel an invoice. Upon performing the Request Invoice Cancellation operation 1914, the Notify of Supplier Invoice to Accounting outbound process agent 1908 transmits a Invoice Cancellation Accounting Notification message 1918 with the invoice accounting cancellation request.

The Accounting process component 1904 includes an Invoice Accounting In interface 1920 that may receive messages sent by the Supplier Invoice Processing process component 1902. Here, the Invoice Accounting interface 1920 includes a Create Accounting Document operation 1922 that creates an accounting document for a customer invoice or supplier invoice if accounting receives the Invoice Accounting Notification message 1916. The Invoice Accounting In interface 1920 also includes a Cancel Accounting Document operation 1924 that cancels a customer or supplier invoice.

The Accounting process component 1904 includes a Maintain Accounting Document based on Invoice inbound process agent 1926 that can maintain accounting documents. For example, the inbound process agent 1926 may update the accounting document if a creation or cancellation operation is received. After updating the accounting document, the inbound process agent 1926 may forward information about the updated document into the Accounting Notification business object 1928. The Accounting Notification business object 1928 may receive input from operational business transactions, such as the invoice notification above, and record the business transactions in a Financial Accounting deployment unit.

Interactions Between Process Components “Purchase Order Processing” and “Supplier Invoice Processing”

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing interactions between a Purchase Order Processing process component 2002 and a Supplier Invoice Processing process component 2004 in the architectural design of FIG. 1.

The Purchase Order Processing process component 2002 includes a Purchase Order business object 2006 which includes a request from a purchaser. An update in the Purchase Order Processing process component 2002 may trigger a Notify of Invoicing Due from Purchase Order to Supplier Invoice Processing outbound process agent 2008 to invoke includes a Notify of Invoicing Due operation 2010. The Notify of Invoicing Due operation 2010, which is included in an Invoice Verification Out interface 2012, may send an Invoicing Due Notification message 2014 that will be received by elements in the Supplier Invoice Processing process component 2004. The message 2014 is routed to an Invoice Verification In interface 2016 where a Maintain Invoice Request operation 2018 is invoked to create or update a reference object in the Supplier Invoice Processing deployment unit in order to perform invoice verification with reference to a purchase order without having to access other deployment units. The Maintain Supplier Invoice Request outbound process agent 2020 sends updates or changes to the invoice data into the Supplier Invoice Request business object 2022. The system uses the Supplier Invoice Request business object 2022 as a basis for invoice verification, as well as for the automatic creation of the invoice.

In this illustration, the Notify of Invoiced Values from SIR to Purchase Order Processing outbound process agent 2024 invokes a Notify of Invoiced Values operation 2026 of an Invoice Verification Out interface 2028 to send a Supplier Invoice Request Invoiced Values Notification message 2030 that will be received by components in the Purchase Order Processing process component 2002. The notification message is sent to make certain that if parts of a purchase order have been previously posted, the corresponding purchase order is not changed to an amount lower than the one that has already been delivered. Upon receipt of the message, the Invoice Verification In interface 2032 includes a Change Purchase Order based on Invoiced Values operation 2034 to change appropriate invoiced quantities in the purchase order. The updated change information is sent to the Purchase Order business object 2006 using the Change Purchase Order based on Invoiced Values inbound process agent 2036.

Interactions Between Process Components “Goods and Service Acknowledgement” and “Supplier Invoice Processing”

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing interactions between a Goods and Service Acknowledgement process component 2102 and a Supplier Invoice Processing process component 2104 in the architectural design of FIG. 1.

The process component interaction model begins the Goods and Service Acknowledgement process component 2102 with a Goods and Service Acknowledgement business object 2106 having an update. The Goods and Service Acknowledgement business object 2106 is a document that reports the receipt of goods and services. When the Goods and Service Acknowledgement business object 2106 is updated, a notification may be sent using a Notify of Invoicing Due from GSA to Supplier Invoice Processing outbound process agent 2108. The Invoice Verification Out interface 2110 includes a Notify of Invoice Due operation 2112 that may be called in case of a change in a contract related invoice is posted. When a GSA is created, the Supplier Invoice Processing process component 2104 needs to be informed because this information is necessary in case of goods receipt based invoice verification. An Invoicing Due Notification message 2114 is sent to an Invoice Verification In interface 2116 in the Supplier Invoice Processing process component 2104. A Maintain Invoice Request operation 2118 may be invoked to create or update a reference object in the Supplier Invoice Processing process component 2104 to perform invoice verification with reference to a purchase order. The reference object is used for checks against the preceding documents and to make proposals for invoice entry. The Supplier Invoice Request business object 2122 is a document for invoice verification that is advising an invoice for specified quantities and prices to be expected or to be created through evaluation settlement. The system uses the Supplier Invoice Request business object 2122 as a basis for invoice verification, as well as for the automatic creation of the invoice. An update to the Supplier Invoice Request business object 2122, will be sent using a Maintain Supplier Invoice Request inbound process agent 2120.

Interactions Between Process Components “Project Processing” and “Time and Labor Management”

FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing interactions between a Project Processing process component 2202 and a Time and Labor Management process component 2204 in the architectural design of FIG. 1.

The process component interaction model begins at the Project Processing process component 2202 with a Project business object 2206, which is a business operation, having an update. When the Project business object 2206 is updated, a notification may be sent using a Notify of Project to Time and Labor Management outbound process agent 2208. The Project Task Confirmation Out interface 2210 includes a Notify of Project operation 2212 that may publishes or unpublishes project tasks with assigned human resources. A Employee Time Confirmation View on Project Notification message 2214 is sent to a Project Task Confirmation In interface 2216 in the Time and Labor Management process component 2204. A Maintain Employee Time Confirmation View On Project operation 2218 may be invoked to maintain an Employee Time Confirmation View on Project business object 2222 based on changes of the object Project in the Project Processing process component 2202. The Employee Time Confirmation View on Project business object 2222 is a view on a project, adapted for the confirmation of Employee Times. An update to the Employee Time Confirmation View on Project business object 2222 will be sent using a Maintain Employee Time Confirmation View on Project inbound process agent 2220.

The Time and Labor Management process component 2204 also includes an Employee Time Calendar business object 2224. The Employee Time Calendar business object 2224 gives a calendar based overview of different time data. A creation or cancellation of the Employee Time Calendar business object 2224 may trigger a Notify of Project Task Confirmation from Employee Time Calendar to Project Processing outbound process agent 2226 to notify the Project Processing process component 2202 of the creation or cancellation of the Employee Time Calendar business object 2224. The Project Task Confirmation Out interface 2227 includes a Notify of Project Task Confirmation operation 2228 that may notify the Project Processing process component 2202 of a project task confirmation or a project task status change. This notification is sent when an active employee time with project relevant information is created, changed or cancelled. A Project Task Confirmation Notification message 2230 is sent to a Project Task Confirmation In interface 2232 in the Project Processing process component 2202. A Change Project based on Employee Time Calendar operation 2234 may be invoked to confirm employee's working time for a project task, including working times and additional information such as status, short text, remaining work, etc. An update to the Project business object 2202 will be sent using a Change Project based on Employee Time Calendar inbound process agent 2236.

Interactions Between Process Components “Purchase Order Processing” and “Accounting”

FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing interactions between a Purchase Order Processing process component 2302 and an Accounting process component 2304 in the architectural design of FIG. 1. The Purchase Order Process component 2302 includes the Purchase Order business object 2306, which passes information into a Notify of Purchase Order to Accounting outbound process agent 2308. The information may contain notifications about created, changed or cancelled purchase orders.

The outbound process agent 2308 sends notification into an Order Accounting Out interface 2310 which includes a Notify of Purchase Order operation 2312. The Notify of Purchase Order operation 2312 may occur when a purchase order has been created, changed or cancelled. An Order Accounting Notification message 2314 may then be sent to the Accounting process component 2304.

The Accounting process component 2304 receives the Order Accounting Notification message 2314 in an Order Accounting In interface 2316, which includes a Maintain Subledger Account operation 2318 that receives order accounting notifications from the Purchase Order Processing process component 2302. The notification is to inform Accounting Processing process component 2304 about the creation, the change or the deletion of any kind of order business objects. The notification may then be sent to the Accounting Notification business object 2322 using an inbound process agent 2320. The Accounting Notification business object 2322 is a common input channel for all kinds of operational business transactions into Financial Accounting that is called by operational components in order to record the business transactions in Financial Accounting.

Interactions Between Process Components “Payment Processing” and “Payment Order Processing at House Bank”

FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing interactions between a Payment Processing process component 2402 and a Payment Order processing at house bank process component 2404 in the architectural design of FIG. 1.

The Payment Processing process component 2402 includes four business objects: a Bill of Exchange Receivable business object 2406 that represents a Bill of Exchange received from or a Bill of Exchange Request sent to a business partner, an Outgoing Check business object 2408 that represents a check sent to a business partner that is created via payment order, a Bill of Exchange Payable business object 2410 that represents a Bill of Exchange sent to a business partner that is created only via payment order, and a Bank Payment Order business object 2412 which is a Payment Order that will be sent to a house bank and may contain bank transfers as well direct debits.

Various process agents are used to send updates for each of these business objects: the Bill of Exchange Receivable business object 2406, the Outgoing Check business object 2408, the Bill of Exchange Payable business object 2410, and the Bank Payment Order business object 2412. The Request Payment Order from Bill of Exchange Receivable to House Bank outbound process agent 2414 creates an electronic Bill of Exchange Receivable (Request) business object 2406. The Request Payment Order from Outgoing Check to House Bank outbound process agent 2416 creates an outgoing check to be printed externally. The Request Payment Order from Bill of Exchange Payable to House Bank outbound process agent 2418 creates an electronic Bill of Exchange Payable. The Request Payment Order from Bank Payment Order to House Bank outbound process agent 2420 creates a Payment order to House Bank.

The Payment Ordering out interface 2422 receives the updates from the outbound process agents 2414, 2416, 2418, and 2420. A Request Payment Order operation 2424 collects Bank Transfers or Direct Debits for payment submission to the business partner. A Collective Payment Order Request message 2426 is generated and processed by the Payment order processing at house bank process component 2404. Upon completion of processing, a Collective Payment Order Confirmation message 2428 is sent to the Payment Ordering In interface 2430 that includes a Maintain Payment Order Confirmation operation 2432 to confirm the status updates from processing a payment order. After completing the operation 2432, an update is sent to the Bank Payment Order business object 2412 using the Maintain Payment Order Confirmation from House Bank inbound process agent 2434.

The subject matter described in this specification and all of the functional operations described in this specification can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer software, firmware, or hardware, including the structural means disclosed in this specification and structural equivalents thereof, or in combinations of them. The subject matter described in this specification can be implemented as one or more computer program products, i.e., one or more computer programs tangibly embodied in an information carrier, e.g., in a machine-readable storage device or in a propagated signal, for execution by, or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus, e.g., a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple computers. A computer program (also known as a program, software, software application, or code) can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program does not necessarily correspond to a file. A program can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programs or data, in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store one or more modules, sub-programs, or portions of code). A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network.

The processes and logic flows described in this specification can be performed by one or more programmable processors executing one or more computer programs to perform functions by operating on input data and generating output. The processes and logic flows can also be performed by, and apparatus can also be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit).

Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any kind of digital computer. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both. The essential elements of a computer are a processor for executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer will also include, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer data to, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g., magnetic, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks. Information carriers suitable for embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and the memory can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.

To provide for interaction with a user, the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented on a computer having a display device, e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device, e.g., a mouse or a trackball, by which the user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide for interaction with a user as well; for example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input.

The subject matter described in this specification can be implemented in a computing system that includes a back-end component (e.g., a data server), a middleware component (e.g. an application server), or a front-end component (e.g., a client computer having a graphical user interface or a Web browser through which a user can interact with an implementation of the subject matter described herein), or any combination of such back-end, middleware, and front-end components. The components of the system can be interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication, e.g., a communication network. Examples of communication networks include a local area network (“LAN”) and a wide area network (“WAN”), e.g., the Internet.

The computing system can include clients and servers. A client and server are generally remote from each other and typically interact through a communication network. The relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship to each other.

While this specification contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention or of what may be claimed, but rather as an exemplification of preferred embodiments of the invention. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be provided in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

The subject matter has been described in terms of particular variations, but other variations can be implemented and are within the scope of the following claims. For example, the actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results. As one example, the processes depicted in the accompanying figures do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. In certain implementations, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Other variations are within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A computer program product comprising application software encoded on a tangible machine-readable information carrier, the application software being structured as process components interacting with each other through service interfaces, the software comprising: a plurality of process components, each of the process components being a package of software implementing a respective and distinct business process, the plurality of process components including: a Project Processing process component that structures, plans, and executes measures or projects; a Purchase Request Processing process component provides a request or instruction to the purchasing department to purchase specified goods or services in specified quantities within a specified time; a Purchase Order Processing process component that handles purchase orders to external suppliers and supplier confirmations; a Purchasing Contract process component that handles agreements between a purchaser and a supplier that details the supply of goods or the performance of services at agreed conditions; a Goods and Service Acknowledgement process component that handles goods and service acknowledgements, which states a recipient's obligation to pay a supplier for goods received or services rendered; a Supplier Invoice Processing process component that handles supplier invoices and supplier invoice requests; an RFQ Processing process component that handles requests for quotation and corresponding quotes; and a Time and Labor Management process component that supports the definition of employees' planned working time as well as the recording or the actual working times and absences and their evaluation; and a plurality of service interface operations, each service interface operation being implemented for a respective process component, the operations comprising inbound and outbound operations, the outbound operation for a first process component being operable to send a message to a second process component of the plurality of process components, the second process component having an inbound operation for receiving the message, the passing of messages between an inbound and an outbound operation defining a message-based pair-wise interaction between the respective process components of the respective operations, the pair-wise interactions between pairs of the process components including interactions between: the Purchase Request Processing process component and the RFQ Processing process component; the Logistics Execution Control process component and the Inbound Delivery Processing process component Inbound Delivery Processing process component; the Project Processing process component and the Purchase Request Processing process component; the RFQ Processing process component and the Purchase Order Processing process component; the Purchase Order Processing process component and the Supplier Invoice Processing process component; the Goods and Service Acknowledgement process component and the Supplier Invoice Processing process component; and the Project Processing process component and the Time and Labor Management process component.
 2. The product of claim 1, wherein the plurality of process components further includes: an Accounting process component that records relevant business transactions; a Payment Processing process component that handles incoming and outgoing payments as well as represent the main database for a liquidity status; a Due Item Processing process component that manages payables and receivables from service and supply; and a Internal Request Processing process component that handles internal requests for the procurement of goods or services for the company, which can be fulfilled by an issue of a purchase request to the purchasing department, a reservation of goods from stock, or a production request; and wherein the pair-wise interactions between pairs of the process components further include interactions between: the Payment Processing process component and the Accounting process component; an external Bank statement creation at bank process component and the Payment Processing process component; the Supplier Invoice Processing process component and the Due Item Processing process component; between the Payment Processing process component and an external Processing at Business Partner process component; the Payment Processing process component and the Project Processing process component; the Internal Request Processing process component and the Purchase Request Processing process component; the Due Item Processing process component and the Payment Processing process component; the Purchase Order Processing process component and an external Sales Order Processing at Supplier process component; an external Customer Invoice Processing at Supplier process component and the Supplier Invoice Processing process component; the Due Item Processing process component and the Accounting process component; the Goods and Service Acknowledgement process component and the Accounting process component; the Payment Processing process component and an external Payment Order processing at house bank process component; the Supplier Invoice Processing process component and the Accounting process component; the Purchase Order Processing process component and the Accounting process component; and the Supplier Invoice Processing process component and the Accounting process component.
 3. The product of claim 2, wherein: each of the plurality of process components is assigned to exactly one deployment unit among multiple deployment units, and each deployment unit is deployable on a separate computer hardware platform independent of every other deployment unit; and all interaction between a process component in one deployment unit and any other process component in any other deployment unit takes place through the respective service interfaces of the two process components.
 4. The product of claim 3, wherein the deployment units comprise: a Financial Accounting deployment unit includes the Accounting process component; a Project Management deployment unit that includes the Project Processing process component; a Purchasing deployment unit that includes the Purchase Request Processing process component, the Purchase Order Processing process component, the Purchasing Contract process component, and the Goods and Service Acknowledgement process component; a Supplier Invoicing deployment unit that includes the Supplier Invoice Processing process component; a Payment deployment unit that includes the Payment Process component; an RFQ Processing deployment unit that includes the RFQ Processing process component; a Due Item Management deployment unit that includes the Due Item Processing process component; a Requisitioning deployment unit that includes the Internal Request Processing process component; and a Human Capital Management deployment unit that includes the Time and Labor Management process component.
 5. The product of claim 1, wherein: each of the process components includes one or more business objects; and none of the business objects of any one of the process components interacts directly with any of the business objects included in any of the other process components.
 6. The product of claim 5, wherein the business objects comprise a business process object.
 7. The product of claim 5, wherein: none of the business objects included in any one of the process components is included in any of the other process components.
 8. The product of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of process agents, each process agent being either an inbound process agent or an outbound process agent, an inbound process agent being operable to receive a message from an inbound operation, an outbound process agent being operable to cause an outbound operation to send a message, each process agent being associated with exactly one process component.
 9. The product of claim 8, wherein: the inbound process agents comprise a first inbound process agent operable to start the execution of step requested in a first inbound message by creating or updating one or more business object instances.
 10. The product of claim 8, wherein: the outbound process agents comprise a first asynchronous outbound process agent that is called after a business object that is associated with the first outbound process agent changes.
 11. The product of claim 1, wherein the operations comprise synchronous and asynchronous operations.
 12. A system, comprising: a computer system comprising one or more hardware platforms for executing a computer software application; a plurality of process components, each of the process components being a package of software implementing a respective and distinct business process, the plurality of process components including: a Project Processing process component that structures, plans, and executes measures or projects; a Purchase Request Processing process component provides a request or instruction to the purchasing department to purchase specified goods or services in specified quantities within a specified time; a Purchase Order Processing process component that handles purchase orders to external suppliers and supplier confirmations; a Purchasing Contract process component that handles agreements between a purchaser and a supplier that details the supply of goods or the performance of services at agreed conditions; a Goods and Service Acknowledgement process component that handles goods and service acknowledgements, which states a recipient's obligation to pay a supplier for goods received or services rendered; a Supplier Invoice Processing process component that handles supplier invoices and supplier invoice requests; an RFQ Processing process component that handles requests for quotation and corresponding quotes; and a Time and Labor Management process component that supports the definition of employees' planned working time as well as the recording or the actual working times and absences and their evaluation; and a plurality of service interface operations, each service interface operation being implemented for a respective process component, the operations comprising inbound and outbound operations, the outbound operation for a first process component being operable to send a message to a second process component of the plurality of process components, the second process component having an inbound operation for receiving the message, the passing of messages between an inbound and an outbound operation defining a message-based pair-wise interaction between the respective process components of the respective operations, the pair-wise interactions between pairs of the process components including interactions between: the Purchase Request Processing process component and the RFQ Processing process component; the Logistics Execution Control process component and the Inbound Delivery Processing process component Inbound Delivery Processing process component; the Project Processing process component and the Purchase Request Processing process component; the RFQ Processing process component and the Purchase Order Processing process component; the Purchase Order Processing process component and the Supplier Invoice Processing process component; the Goods and Service Acknowledgement process component and the Supplier Invoice Processing process component; and the Project Processing process component and the Time and Labor Management process component.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein: each of the process components includes one or more business objects; and none of the business objects of any one of the process components interacts directly with any of the business objects included in any of the other process components.
 14. The system of claim 12, wherein: none of the business objects included in any one of the process components is included in any of the other process components.
 15. The system of claim 12, wherein: a plurality of process agents, each process agent being either an inbound process agent or an outbound process agent, an inbound process agent being operable to receive a message from an inbound operation, an outbound process agent being operable to cause an outbound operation to send a message, each process agent being associated with exactly one process component.
 16. The system of claim 12, the system comprising multiple hardware platforms, wherein: the Project Processing process component is deployed on a first hardware platform; the Purchase Request Processing process component, the Purchase Order Processing process component, the Purchasing Contract process component, and the Goods and Service Acknowledgement process component are deployed on a second hardware platform; the Supplier Invoice Processing process component is deployed on a third hardware platform; the RFQ Processing process component is deployed on a fourth hardware platform; and the Time and Labor Management process component is deployed on a fifth hardware platform.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein each of the first through the fifth hardware platforms are distinct and separate from each other.
 18. A method for developing a computer software application, comprising: obtaining in a computer system digital data representing an architectural design for a set of processes implementing an end-to-end application process, the design specifying a process component for each process in the set of processes, the design specifying further specifying a set of process component interactions, wherein the specified process components include a Project Processing process component that structures, plans, and executes measures or projects; a Purchase Request Processing process component provides a request or instruction to the purchasing department to purchase specified goods or services in specified quantities within a specified time; a Purchase Order Processing process component that handles purchase orders to external suppliers and supplier confirmations; a Purchasing Contract process component that handles agreements between a purchaser and a supplier that details the supply of goods or the performance of services at agreed conditions; a Goods and Service Acknowledgement process component that handles goods and service acknowledgements, which states a recipient's obligation to pay a supplier for goods received or services rendered; a Supplier Invoice Processing process component that handles supplier invoices and supplier invoice requests; an RFQ Processing process component that handles requests for quotation and corresponding quotes; and a Time and Labor Management process component that supports the definition of employees' planned working time as well as the recording or the actual working times and absences and their evaluation; and the process component interactions include interactions between the Purchase Request Processing process component and the RFQ Processing process component; the Logistics Execution Control process component and the Inbound Delivery Processing process component Inbound Delivery Processing process component; the Project Processing process component and the Purchase Request Processing process component; the RFQ Processing process component and the Purchase Order Processing process component; the Purchase Order Processing process component and the Supplier Invoice Processing process component; the Goods and Service Acknowledgement process component and the Supplier Invoice Processing process component; and the Project Processing process component and the Time and Labor Management process component; and using the design including the specified process components and the specified process component interactions to develop a computer software application to perform the set of processes.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein: each process in the set of processes is a business process transforming a defined business input into a defined business outcome.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein: obtaining digital data representing the architectural design further comprises editing the design before using the design. 